IllustrationWhile I was driving my car began to smoke, there was no warning lights on my dashboard & my temperature gage was in the middle, indicating my car was not overheated. I pulled over put the vehicle in park & it became completely engulfed in flames. My car is a total loss!
2010 Dodge Avenger
Owner reports · Recalls · Investigations
Similar to other model years
Owner complaints for the 2010 Dodge Avenger do not stand out strongly from the model-year median of 157.
About this comparison →How this year compares
Owner complaints by model year
Compare all Avenger years →Counts vary with age, sales and reporting. They are not failure rates.
What owners reported most
All reported categories
Tap a category to read its complaints. One report may name several components.
When problems were reported
Mileage at the reported incident
130–25K
2525–50K
2450–75K
2375–100K
29100–150K
12150K+
126 reports with mileage · 37 unknown
NHTSA’s mileage field refers to the reported incident, not necessarily the filing date. This shows report counts, not the likelihood of a failure.
What to inspect
Issues worth paying extra attention to based on owner reports.
- Electrical System. Review the 40 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Air Bags. Review the 37 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
- Vehicle Speed Control. Review the 27 owner reports in this category and discuss these concerns during a pre-purchase inspection. Read reports →
NHTSA owner reports · September 18, 2026 snapshot.
16 crash reports8 fire reports9 injury reports
Fuel/propulsion System complaints
6 reportsENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. GOT IT DIAGNOSED AND CODE SUGGESTED CHANGING THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. PURCHASED PART AND HAD IT INSTALLED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. AN HOUR LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT RETURNED AND THE ENGINE KNOCKED WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND THE CAR TURNED OFF. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 35 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART TH…
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ENGINE LIGHT CAME ON. GOT IT DIAGNOSED AND CODE SUGGESTED CHANGING THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR. PURCHASED PART AND HAD IT INSTALLED BY AN INDEPENDENT MECHANIC. AN HOUR LATER THE ENGINE LIGHT RETURNED AND THE ENGINE KNOCKED WHILE STOPPED AT A RED LIGHT AND THE CAR TURNED OFF. THE CAR WOULD NOT GO ABOVE 35 MPH. I WAS ABLE TO RESTART THE CAR AND DROVE IT TO A SECOND MECHANIC. THE CODES SUGGESTED CHANGING THE SENSOR, AND A MISFIRE OF THE 1ST AND 4TH SPARK PLUGS. THE CRANK SHAFT SENSOR WAS CHANGED, THE THROTTLE BODY CLEANED, AND ALL SPARK PLUGS CHANGED. STILL THE SAME ISSUE. THE CAR WILL NOT GO ABOVE 30 MPH DESPITE THE GAS PEDAL BEING PUSHED ALL THE WAY DOWN. KNOCKING ENGINE AND STALLING. TOOK CAR TO DEALERSHIP. THEY SUGGESTED I ALLOW THEM TO TAKE THE ENGINE APART FOR 800 DOLLARS WITH NO GUARANTEE THAT THIS WOULD FIX THE ISSUE. CAR CURRENTLY OVER 80,000 MILES APPROXIMATELY.
THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF RANDOMLY . SOMETIMES WHEN DRIVING IT WILL EXPERIENCE LOSS OF POWER AND OR ROUGH IDLING . SOMETIMES IT WILL SEEM AS IF THE GAS PEDAL IS BEING PRESSED ON ITS OWN . SOMETIMES IT WILL LOSE POWER AND ONLY DO 10 MPH EVEN WITH THE GAS PEDAL FLOORED . SOMETIMES THE CAR DIES COMPLETE…
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THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE CONTROL LIGHT COMES ON AND OFF RANDOMLY . SOMETIMES WHEN DRIVING IT WILL EXPERIENCE LOSS OF POWER AND OR ROUGH IDLING . SOMETIMES IT WILL SEEM AS IF THE GAS PEDAL IS BEING PRESSED ON ITS OWN . SOMETIMES IT WILL LOSE POWER AND ONLY DO 10 MPH EVEN WITH THE GAS PEDAL FLOORED . SOMETIMES THE CAR DIES COMPLETELY . USUALLY TURNING THE CAR OFF AND BACK ON AGAIN WILL SOMEWHAT FIX IT WHERE IT WILL AT LEAST DRIVE .
WHILE DRIVING AT ABOUT 35 MILES PER HOUR, I LOST SPEED DOWN TO ABOUT 15 MILES PER HOUR. I HAD TO STOP, TURN OFF THE ENGINE AND RESTART. THE ISSUE DID NOT REOCCUR, BUT THERE HAVE BEEN A FEW MORE TIMES WHEN THE ACCELERATION HAS DECREASED AND THEN JUST STARTED AGAIN AND I TOOK OFF FASTER THAN I WANTED TO GO.
AFTER PULLING INTO HIGHWAY, ACCELERATOR CEASED TO WORK ONCE SPEED HIT 15 MPH AND ETC WARNING LIGHT FLASHED. PULLED INTO PARKING LOT, TURNED CAR OFF AND BACK ON, AND SAME PROBLEM REPEATED. RESEARCH REVEALED NUMEROUS INSTANCES OF THE SAME PROBLEM ALL LEADING BACK TO PROBLEMS WITH THE THROTTLE BODY. CLEANED THROTTLE BODY AND PRO…
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AFTER PULLING INTO HIGHWAY, ACCELERATOR CEASED TO WORK ONCE SPEED HIT 15 MPH AND ETC WARNING LIGHT FLASHED. PULLED INTO PARKING LOT, TURNED CAR OFF AND BACK ON, AND SAME PROBLEM REPEATED. RESEARCH REVEALED NUMEROUS INSTANCES OF THE SAME PROBLEM ALL LEADING BACK TO PROBLEMS WITH THE THROTTLE BODY. CLEANED THROTTLE BODY AND PROBLEM WENT AWAY UNTIL THREE MILES DOWN THE ROAD WHEN IT RETURNED--THIS TIME ACCELERATOR WORKED UNTIL 30 MPH.
THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 15 MILES PER HOUR. I PULLED OVER, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND IT RESTARTED. THE LIGHT EVENTUALLY WENT OFF AND KEPT COMING BACK ON WITH THE CAR NOT BEING ABLE TO ACCELERATE OVER 15 MPH. I TOOK IT TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP TODAY AND THEY STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY …
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THE ELECTRONIC THROTTLE LIGHT CAME ON AND THE CAR WOULD NOT GO OVER 15 MILES PER HOUR. I PULLED OVER, TURNED THE CAR OFF AND IT RESTARTED. THE LIGHT EVENTUALLY WENT OFF AND KEPT COMING BACK ON WITH THE CAR NOT BEING ABLE TO ACCELERATE OVER 15 MPH. I TOOK IT TO THE DODGE DEALERSHIP TODAY AND THEY STATED THAT THE THROTTLE BODY NEEDS TO BE REPLACED. THE COST OF THE PART ALONE IS $257.00 WHICH IS ON BACK ORDER. THERE ARE OVER 1200 ON BACK ORDER AT THIS TIME. THEY ALSO CHECKED TO SEE IF THIS PART WOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE 100,000 MILE POWERTRAIN WARRANTY WHICH IT IS NOT. THIS IS PART OF THE POWERTRAIN AND SHOULD BE INCLUDED IN THE WARRANTY THROUGH DODGE. THERE SHOULD ALSO BE A RECALL ON THIS PART. EVIDENTLY THERE ARE MORE PEOPLE WITH THE SAME PROBLEM SINCE THERE ARE 1200 ON BACK ORDER. *TR
Official recalls
316V668000 · Air Bags; Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE ; Seat Belts:pretensioner
Sep 15, 2016
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.
Additional source detail variants (3)
Seat Belts:pretensioner
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
Consequence: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.
Air Bags:frontal:sensor/control MODULE-INACTIVE
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
Consequence: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.
Air Bags
Chrysler (FCA US LLC) is recalling certain model year 2011-2014 Chrysler 200, 2010 Chrysler Sebring, 2010-2012 Dodge Caliber and 2010-2014 Jeep Patriot, Compass and Dodge Avenger vehicles. The Occupant Restraint Control (OCR) module may short circuit, preventing the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags from deploying in the event of a crash.
Consequence: If the frontal air bags, seat belt pretensioners, and side air bags are disabled, there is an increased risk of injury to the vehicle occupants in the event of a vehicle crash that necessitates deployment of these safety systems.
Remedy: Chrysler will notify owners, and dealers will replace the OCR, free of charge. Interim letters informing owners that parts are not available yet were mailed on October 26, 2016. The recall began on August 15, 2017. Owners may contact Chrysler customer service at 1-800-853-1403. Chrysler's number for this recall is S61.
10V475000 · Steering:electric Power Assist System
Oct 7, 2010
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CHRYSLER SEBRING, 300, CHARGER (LX) AND DODGE CHALLENGER (LC), AVENGER (JS), AND JOURNEY (JC), AS WELL AS MODEL YEAR 2011 DODGE RAM LIGHT DUTY PICKUP (DS) VEHICLES. SOME OF THESE VEHICLES MAY EXPERIENCE A SEPARATION AT THE CRIMPED END OF THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSE ASSEMBLY.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: LEAKED POWER STEERING FLUID ONTO HOT ENGINE COMPONENTS COULD CAUSE A FIRE.
Remedy: DEALERS WILL INSPECT AND REPLACE AS NECESSARY THE POWER STEERING PRESSURE HOSES FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL BEGAN ON DECEMBER 20, 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
10V009000 · Service Brakes, Hydraulic
Jan 11, 2010
CHRYSLER IS RECALLING CERTAIN MODEL YEAR 2010 CHRYSLER SEBRING; DODGE AVENGER AND NITRO; JEEP LIBERTY, COMMANDER AND GRAND CHEROKEE; AND MODEL YEAR 2009-2010 DODGE RAM TRUCK. THESE VEHICLES MAY HAVE BEEN BUILT WITH AN IMPROPERLY FORMED OR MISSING BRAKE BOOSTER INPUT ROD RETAINING CLIP.
Consequence & remedy
Consequence: THIS COULD RESULT IN BRAKE FAILURE WITHOUT WARNING WHICH COULD CAUSE A CRASH.
Remedy: CHRYSLER WILL REPLACE THE BRAKE BOOSTER INPUT ROD RETAINING CLIP FREE OF CHARGE. THE SAFETY RECALL IS EXPECTED TO BEGIN DURING FEBRUARY 2010. OWNERS MAY CONTACT CHRYSLER AT 1-800-853-1403.
Model-level recall history does not show whether a particular VIN is affected or has received a repair. Check a VIN with NHTSA ↗
NHTSA investigations
0No exact-year investigations in this snapshot.